Conversely, Merriam-Webster's first definition is " the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame."
Our discussions in class and our readings from Bellah's Habits of the Heart indicate that success isn't really definable by a dictionary. It is only definable by each and every individual.
That doesn't stop the media from presenting us with how our culture defines it, and therefore, how we should define success.
That doesn't stop the media from presenting us with how our culture defines it, and therefore, how we should define success.
"Yes, You Can Be Happy While Pushing Yourself to Success" Wait? Success is in opposition to being happy? Culturally, we are told that 'success' [whatever that means] is the path to happiness. But we also seem to know, internally, that the way the it is often define is contradictory.
Bellah recognizes that success is individual in nature. His definitions of Utilitarian and Expressive Individualism are very different and very relateable. One focuses on gains in the public sphere and the other on achievements in the private. Bellah presents these as somewhat disconnected or disparate.
Using different words and semantic context, I can't help but think that this article attempts to combine those two versions of individualism. The author uses the definition of success as material gain, and happiness as separate from that. The author, James Clear, says "Here's the problem: I want both." Clear goes on to outline "How to stay driven" and "How to be happy". While I don't want to say that either or those are definable in a paragraph. I think his thought process adds an interesting layer to Bellah's proposition.
Bellah outlines people who exemplify his different forms of individualism. But in reality, peoples definition of success is not black and white. And that is what the author struggles with, trying to find a balance, trying to find a medium.
How do you define your success?
Using different words and semantic context, I can't help but think that this article attempts to combine those two versions of individualism. The author uses the definition of success as material gain, and happiness as separate from that. The author, James Clear, says "Here's the problem: I want both." Clear goes on to outline "How to stay driven" and "How to be happy". While I don't want to say that either or those are definable in a paragraph. I think his thought process adds an interesting layer to Bellah's proposition.
Bellah outlines people who exemplify his different forms of individualism. But in reality, peoples definition of success is not black and white. And that is what the author struggles with, trying to find a balance, trying to find a medium.
How do you define your success?
It's interesting that this article comes from Entrepreneur webzine. It might be interesting to think about how that theme ties in with the views expressed in the article.
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